NORFOLK, VA--The 2013-14 Old Dominion University men's basketball schedule will feature 13 teams that competed in national post season play last year, the inaugural season in Conference USA and the Cancun Challenge Tournament. Seven of this year’s C-USA members competed in national post season play last year.

The NCAA tournament participants include VCU, Wisconsin and St. Louis along with C-USA member Middle Tennessee State. C-USA rival East Carolina won the CollegeInsider.com tournament, while C-USA member Tulane reached the second round. George Mason, Richmond, The College of Charleston and C-USA member Tulsa competed in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) with Mason advancing to the championship round. Three C-USA members, Charlotte, Louisiana Tech and Southern Mississippi were in the NIT with Southern Miss. reaching the quarterfinals after beating Louisiana Tech in the second round.

" We are excited about this year’s extremely challenging schedule which I think will be of great interest to Monarch fans and alumni. We will have an opportunity in our non-conference portion of the schedule to test ourselves against outstanding teams which will prepare us for our inaugural Conference USA slate.” – ODU head coach Jeff Jones

The Monarchs open the regular season on Nov. 8 at home against Missouri State of the Missouri Valley Conference. ODU will host Howard of the MEAC on Nov. 13, Murray State of the Ohio Valley on Nov. 15, North Carolina Central of the MEAC on Dec. 8, The College of Charleston of the CAA on Dec. 18 and George Mason of the Atlantic-10 on Jan. 4.

ODU will host two games in the Constant Center as part of the Cancun Challenge, including Presbyterian of the Big South on Nov. 21 and Georgia Southern of the Southern Conference on Nov. 23. ODU will then travel to Mexico to play West Virginia of the Big 12 on Nov. 26 and either Wisconsin of the BIG TEN or Atlantic 10 champion St. Louis on Nov. 27. Bowling Green and Oral Roberts are also in the eight-team field. The tournament is split into two divisions (Riviera and Mayan), and a champion will be crowned in both divisions. ODU will be in the Riviera Division with all games played at the Aventura Palace Convention Center.

On the road, ODU will play VCU of the Atlantic 10 on Dec. 8, Georgia State of the Sun Belt on Dec.14, UNC Wilmington of the CAA on Dec. 21, Richmond of the Atlantic 10 on Dec. 28 and ring in the New Year with William and Mary of the CAA on Jan. 1.

In its inaugural season in Conference USA, ODU will play 16 games (eight home and eight away). The first league game will be on Jan. 11 at East Carolina, who they will play twice. The home opener will be on Jan. 23 against Southern Mississippi.

The Monarchs will play FIU, Florida Atlantic, UAB, Middle Tennessee State, Charlotte, North Texas, and Tulsa along with East Carolina on the road. The C-USA Basketball Championships are scheduled for Mar. 11-15 at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, TX.

The Monarchs will play an exhibition a game against Elizabeth City State on Nov. 1. For season ticket information, please go to Ynottix.com or call the athletic ticket office at 757-683-4444.